Chain lock



E. MOODY Dec. 15, 1942.

CHAIN LOCK Filed May 3, 1941 fi o Mia)- V Eric M000} Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to an improved chain lock particularly for tire chains an object thereof being to provide a device of the character described which locks positively and remains locked when in situ.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device in which considerable leverage can be exerted with comparatively little effort to bring the ends of a tire chain together and in this Way ensure that the chain will be held sufiiciently tightly.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device for locking tire chains which is of particularly simple construction, easy and economical to manufacture and which will therefore sell at a low price to the ultimate user.

With the above more important objects in View and such other minor objects as may appear as the specification proceeds, my invention consists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side view of my chain lock shown open.

Figure 2 is a side View of my chain look similar to Figure l but with the device shown locked.

Figure 3 is an edge view, the same being a plan of my device with reference to the accompanying Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail illustrating my chain link on edge.

In the drawing like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

This invention comprises the four following essential parts. A subjacent buckle piece I, a

superjacent buckle piece 2, a link 3 in the form of a clevis provided at the free end thereof with an eye 4 and a locking element 5 in the form of ,a yoke.

It will be seen that the buckle pieces I and 2 are pivotally connected at the point 6 by means of the rivet 'I to form a lever of the second class wherein the resistance to be overcome consists in the wheel-chain 8 in the manner later described.

It will be seen that the subjacent knuckle piece I is bellied at its mid-portion 9 to provide sufficient material at this point to take a rivet In about which pivots my link 3, the link being accordingly pivoted approximately intermediate of the length of the subjacent buckle piece I.

It will be seen that the free end of the subjacent buckle piece inclines upwardly along the edge II to thicken the end portion and through this end portion is passed a rivet I2 which pivotally secures my locking element 5, the superjacent buckle piece 2 being formed substantially complementary to the subjacent piece as clearly illustrated.

However, it will be seen that adjacent the pivot point 6, the superjacent buckle piece is curved to provide the crest I3 which, with the recessed portion It of the subjacent knuckle piece provides the aperture I5 in which the link I6 is held and proceeding now to describe the operation of my chain lock, it will be clearly perceived that one end link I? of the side chain 8 is secured permanently in the eye 4 while the opposite end link It is free.

When it is desired to put on a set of chains, the link I6 is passed over the buckle piece 2 as clearly illustrated in the accompanying Fig. 1 after which this buckle piece is moved in the direction of the arrow I8 tightening the side chain 8 as it does so. The chain link It is meanwhile moving past the rivet I until it subsides into the aperture I5 formed when two buckle pieces come together as shown in the accompanying Fig. 2.

The locking element 5 is now moved in the direction of the arrow I9 until it embraces the upper edge 20 of the buckle piece 2 adjacent its free end. When it moves into this position, the link 3 will relax slightly under the tension of the side chain and come up against the chamfered portions 2| provided upon each side of the looking element 5 adjacent the point at which it is pivoted to the buckle piece I.

It naturally follows that when the chamfered portions 2| are engaged by the side of the link 3 there can be no possibility of the device becoming unlocked.

The numeral 22 indicates a cross-chain and reference to the accompanying Fig. 3 will indicate that the buckle portions I and 2 are not reduced in thickness at the point 6 where they are pivoted, but instead, are skewed slightly so that they may remain their original thickness without loss of strength.

Finally, I would mention that preferably the edges around and adjacent to the recess I4 are rounded, also, all edges which bear against the link I6 while being forced into the recess I5 so that abrasion will not take place. This will also apply to the surface 20 over which my locking element 5 is passed.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense and I desire only such limitations placed thereon as are specifically expressed in the accompanying claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A chain lock comprising in combination, a pair of buckle pieces pivotally connected at the ends thereof, a link provided with an eye in one end thereof pivotally secured to one of said buckle pieces, a locking element in the form of a yoke also pivotally secured to the same buckle piece as that to which said link is secured, but spaced therefrom and designed to embrace the other'of said buckle pieces when in locked position, the portions of one edge of said locking element which are adjacent the point at which said locking element is pivoted, being charnfered, said link bearing against said chamfered portions in the operative position of said chain lock.

2. A chain lock comprising in combination, a pair of buckle pieces pivotally connected at one end thereof, a link in the form of a clevis DlV- otally secured to one of said buckle pieces approximately intermediate the length thereof and having an eye therein to receive a chain link, a locking element in the form of a yoke pivotally secured to the same buckle piece as that to which said link is secured, but adjacent the opposite end thereof to that at which said buckle pieces are connected, said link spanning the under edge of the buckle piece to which it is attached, said locking element spanning the top edge thereof so that said link and said locking element are substantially opposed in respect to the forces acting thereupon in the operative position of said chain lock, said locking element also embracing the free end of the other buckle piece in the operative position thereof and bearing against the upper edge of said other buckle piece, the portions of one edge of said locking element which are adjacent the point at which it is pivotally connected to said buckle piece being chamfered, a portion of one edge of said link bearing against said chamfered portions in the locked and operative position of said chain lock.

ERIC MOODY. 

